Welcome back to the Link Live Podcast, presented by Link Creative. For Episode 22, host Lorenzo, CEO of Link Creative, is joined by filmmaker, producer, and artist Benjamin Gugick.

Ben’s trajectory is defined by a "do more with less" mentality, moving from a high school media class in Cleveland to becoming a core team member at Kursza, one of the industry's most respected production collectives. Eschewing the traditional "Hollywood" path, Ben leveraged an unpaid internship in Ireland and a portfolio of raw music videos to build a brand that now handles visual assets for global icons like Apple, Alicia Keys, and the NHL. Based in Chicago but constantly traveling, Ben has built a massive following by focusing on the technical execution and the grit required to survive the industry. He joins the pod to discuss his "Portfolio plus Network" strategy, the 12-million-view viral explosion that changed his career, and the reality of shooting major festival recaps and celebrity lifestyle content.

Inside the Episode
In this conversation, Lorenzo and Ben break down the transition from "kid with a camera" to high-level creative director:

The Ohio State Pivot: Ben reflects on his time as a marketing major, why he felt the degree was a "scam," and the pivotal moment in Ireland where he realized filmmaking was his true calling.

The 12-Million View Breakout: A deep dive into the Google Earth Studio tutorial that gained Ben 95k followers in two weeks, and why a solid portfolio is the only way to convert viral attention into a career.

The Kursza Connection: The story of how showing up to a festival for free and outworking the hired crew led to Ben joining the core team of one of the world's elite creator collectives.

Artist vs. Service Provider: Ben discusses his "my way or the highway" philosophy, the importance of creative conviction, and why he fights to protect his vision on projects with major brands like Apple and Wynn Nightlife.

The Mixed Reality Future: A look at the role of AI in filmmaking, why Ben prefers "analog" souls over prompts, and the process behind shooting an Alicia Keys performance at Grand Central Station using 13 iPhones.

The 10,000-Hour Reality: Why Ben believes the "unlucky" mindset is a trap and how the simple formula of "Portfolio plus Network" is the only way to achieve long-term success in the creative industry.

“Portfolio plus Network. That’s all it is. If you aren’t getting the work you want, it’s either because your portfolio isn't where it needs to be, or your network isn't where it needs to be.” — Benjamin Gugick

BENJAMIN GUGICK:
Instagram: @benjamingugick

Website: bengugick.com

Core Team: @kursza

LINK CREATIVE:
Website: linkcreativeco.com

YT: @linkcreativeco

INSTAGRAM: @linkcreativeco

TIKTOK: @linkcreativeco

Welcome back to the Link Live Podcast, presented by Link Creative. For Episode 21, host Lorenzo Costa, CEO of Link Creative, is joined by real estate entrepreneur and investor Aram Ghazaryan, founder of Aram G Realty.

Aram’s story is defined by the "immigrant mentality" and a total refusal to settle for a traditional corporate path. After moving from Armenia to the U.S. at age nine, Aram navigated a string of career pivots, from criminal justice to mechanical engineering, before realizing that real estate was his fastest route to business ownership. After seven years of grinding as a traditional agent and learning the industry from the inside out, he shifted his focus entirely to investment and high-volume flipping. Today, Aram’s operation is on track to flip 45 houses a year, and he now coaches the next generation of investors on how to find deals with margin and build a business that offers true time freedom.

Inside the Episode
In this conversation, Lorenzo and Aram break down the transition from agent to investment leader:

- The Immigrant Perspective: Aram reflects on moving to the U.S. at nine years old and explains why he believes immigrants often have a higher drive to succeed: they don't take the American economy for granted.

- The "Agent" Trap: Aram discusses his biggest regret—spending seven years trying to be a top-producing agent. He explains why he eventually walked away from his client list to focus on owning the assets rather than just brokering them.

- Luck and the $60,000 Flip: After a stressful first project, Aram almost gave up on flipping. He shares how a random call from a year-old mailer led to a $60,000 profit and changed his entire business model.

- Scaling to 45 Houses a Year: Aram dives into the logistics of high-volume flipping, from using targeted data to find distressed properties to partnering with a GC to manage 11+ projects at a single time.

- The Reality of "New Money": A candid look at the loud nature of "new money," the massive carrying costs of a scaling business, and why revenue doesn't matter if your operations aren't lean.

- Check the Ego: Aram shares the three pieces of advice he’d give his younger self: check your ego, realize you aren’t that special, and ask for help. He credits this mindset shift as the reason he finally broke into six-figure earnings.

ARAM GHAZARYAN:
INSTAGRAM | @aramgrealty
YOUTUBE | Aram Real Estate
TIKTOK | @aramgrealty

LINK CREATIVE:
Website | linkcreativeco.com
YT | @linkcreativeco
INSTAGRAM | @linkcreativeco
TIKTOK | @linkcreativeco

This week, we are back in the studio for Episode 20. Host Lorenzo, CEO of Link Creative, is joined by Allan Perales, the Founder and CEO of Kain Real Estate.

Allan is a veteran of the hospitality and real estate landscape who has spent over two decades bridging the gap between service and sales. From his early career at Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants to his eight-year tenure as Director of Leasing at McCaffery Inc., Allan has built a reputation as a "hospitality-first" broker. After helping launch over 100 independent restaurants and national brands as a Partner at Goldstreet Partners, Allan recently launched Kain Real Estate, a firm designed to run a brokerage with the precision and soul of a luxury hotelier. Allan joins the pod to discuss the "Kimpton Moments" that define elite customer service, the calculated risk of going solo after 20+ years in the industry, and why the Filipino word for "to eat" (Kain) is the perfect nod to his mission.

Inside the Episode

In this conversation, Lorenzo and Allan break down the journey from classical music performance to private equity, detailing how hospitality principles can revolutionize the transactional world of real estate:

The Hotel Blueprint: Allan reflects on his seven years with Kimpton Hotels and how learning to deliver "Kimpton Moments" random acts of kindness that cost the company nothing, became his primary business lever.

The Craigslist Pivot: A masterclass in resourcefulness, Allan shares how he once posted a fake job listing just to study the resumes of top property managers and successfully pivot his own career path during a hiring freeze.

Pro-Bono Growth Strategy: How Allan and his former team used the pandemic to build a "moat" by helping independent chefs restructure their leases for free, eventually becoming the most trusted restaurant brokers in Chicago.

The Michelin Standard: A deep dive into the technical side of restaurant real estate, from helping the team at Galit navigate complex hood codes to finding "destination" locations for icons like Kasama.

Building the Platform: Why Allan is now focused on mentoring the next generation, specifically hiring from the bartending world where grit, personality, and the "gift of gab" are forged.

“Get rid of the arrogance and focus on your mindset. You can train the voice in your head to stop being the naysayer and start being your number one cheerleader.” — Allan Perales

ALLAN PERALES:
Instagram: @allan__perales
Website: kainrealestate.com

LINK CREATIVE:
Website: linkcreativeco.com
YT: @linkcreativeco
INSTAGRAM: @linkcreativeco
TIKTOK: @linkcreativeco

Timestamps
00:00 Welcome Allan Perales to the Studio
01:33 From Grocery Stores to "Ground Pat'i" in Louisiana
02:36 The Kimpton Training: Learning the Art of Caring

03:52 Transitioning to Chicago & The Hotel Burnham
05:26 The Craigslist Job Post: Hacking the Property Management Algorithm
06:44 Hotel Standards in Property Management: Increasing Renewal Rates
10:46 The Package Room Revolution: From $700 to $10,000 in Tips
13:10 Moving into Commercial Leasing at McCaffery Inc.
14:27 Joining Goldstreet Partners: The "Eat What You Kill" Mindset